Wheel substitutes for land vehicles – Endless belt having nonmetallic track or tread – Track formed of rigid nonmetallic links
Patent
1996-06-24
1999-11-16
Stormer, Russell D.
Wheel substitutes for land vehicles
Endless belt having nonmetallic track or tread
Track formed of rigid nonmetallic links
305160, 305177, B62D 5518
Patent
active
059844370
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connecting link type rubber crawler suitably mounted to a traveling unit of a mobile construction machine, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, a steel crawler has been mainly applied to the traveling unit of a mobile construction machine, and a rubber shoe has been partially applied thereto. Recently, however, a rubber crawler is preferably used.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory view to describe an example of a conventional steel crawler: 101 is an outer flanged rolling wheel, 102 is a crawler shoe, 102a is a shoe plate, 102b is a track link, 102c is a linkage pin, and 102d is a lug (steel made). FIG. 23 is an explanatory view to describe an example of a rubber shoe: 103 is a rubber shoe, 103a is a shoe plate, 103b is a track link, 103c is a linkage pin, 103d is a rubber lug. FIG. 24 is an explanatory view to describe a conventional rubber crawler: 104 is a rubber crawler, 104c is a lug, 105 is a core metal, and 106 is a steel cord. In FIGS. 22-24, the same outer flanged rolling wheel can be used.
A steel crawler, wherein the upper surface of track links serves as a continuous track for a rolling wheel, effects small vibrations during traveling. Besides, it scarcely deviates from the wheel because of no elongation nor side displacement of the crawler in a circumferential or width direction. Moreover, it is excellent in durability because of strong mechanical connection between the links. However, it causes big noise and gives heavy fatigue to a driver because of its poor cushioning ability. In addition, it damages roads.
On the contrary, a rubber crawler effects small noise and has good cushioning ability without damaging roads. Besides, it is relatively lightweight so as to drive at high speed. However, it causes somewhat strong driving vibrations because an upper face of a projection of each core metal serves as a wheel track. In addition, when it receives big outer pressure in its circumferential or width direction, which causes elongation and side displacement, it deviates from the wheel. Moreover, it is inferior to the steel crawler in mechanical strength and durability.
A rubber shoe, wherein a rubber lug is provided on the ground side of a shoe plate of a steel crawler, has such structural problems that the shoe plat is apt to come off the rubber lug, and that the rubber lug is easily damaged or worn down because it is pressed between the shoe plate and the ground without any space for escape. Besides, a method of vulcanizing and fixing a rubber lug to each shoe plate highers the cost considerably. Accordingly, it can not be superior to a rubber crawler.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the above demerits of the rubber crawler by adapting a structure of a steel crawler with its merits.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention, is characterized by a connecting link type rubber crawler, being endless or in a belt form, wherein core bars are embedded at suitable intervals with their longitudinal direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the crawler body; wherein the core bar comprises a center part having connecting portions (m), (m) for fixing track links on both sides thereof, and wing portions extending to right and left sides from the center part; wherein said right and left wing poprtions are embedded in a rubber material of a crawler body; where said connecting portions (m), (m) are exposed at least on the inner peripheral side of the crawler body or covered by a thin rubber layer to be made into a rubber shoe; wherein the track link is provided with connecting portions (m'), (m') for fixing the core bar; wherein an interval between pin holes coincides with a center-to-center interval between adjoining core bars; wherein the connecting portions (m), (m') of the core bar and the track link, respectively, are united so as to fix the track link on the core bar from the inner circumferential side of the crawler wherein one or a plurality of rubber crawler shoes are provided between the
REFERENCES:
patent: 1296512 (1919-03-01), Hatfield
patent: 2022567 (1935-11-01), Kegresse
patent: 2230935 (1941-02-01), Chevreau
patent: 2410507 (1946-11-01), Knight
patent: 4083611 (1978-04-01), Schaffner et al.
patent: 4861120 (1989-08-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 5255964 (1993-10-01), Hara
Fukuyama Gomu Kogyo Kabushiki Gaisha
Stormer Russell D.
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